Dana Denis-Smith elected as 2027 president of Law Society

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Dana Denis-Smith, founder of the First 100 Years and Next 100 Years, will become the eighth woman to take on the role of president of the Law Society of England and Wales. The founder and chief executive of Obelisk Support is set to take office in October, before becoming vice president in 2026 and then president in 2027.

Speaking about the appointment, Denis-Smith said: “Along with the president and vice president, colleagues and the Law Society as a whole, I believe we can champion solicitors at all stages of their career, promote a diverse and inclusive profession and support our members in their crucial work as guardians of the rule of law.”

Denis-Smith was admitted as a solicitor in 2007, having spent a decade working as a journalist. After making the switch to the world of law, she founded Obelisk Support – a legal services provider that’s committed to creating more inclusive workspaces – in 2010 and then the First 100 Years in 2014 to celebrate the first 100 years of women in law in the UK and Ireland.

Current Law Society President Richard Atkinson congratulated Denis-Smith and said her election is a “testament to her dedication, expertise and commitment to the legal profession”.

Denis-Smith added: “We have a great opportunity to use technology more with the aim of improving legal services and increasing access to justice – our legal system remains a global leader which is a great place to be.

“Above all, we want to champion our profession's values as the rule of law remains our priority.”